Maple Leafs fans haven’t had much in the way of success to get excited about over the last few years. Hell, they haven’t had a lot to be happy about for quite some time really. Today, though, the Leafs can have some sense of pride over being ranked #1 in something. Sure, it’s not being ranked #1 in terms of team success, but the Leafs are, once again, the NHL’s most valuable franchise according to Forbes Magazine.

The Leafs top Forbes’ list of most valuable franchises with a value of $505 million. That total is made more interesting today with the news of Rogers in Canada being interested in buying the Leafs in a package deal worth over $1 billion. It’s got to be nice to be wanted after all. Coming in second are the New York Rangers worth $461 million. Being Manhattan’s only team has its advantages as does playing your home games in Madison Square Garden.

In third, it’s the Leafs biggest rivals, the Montreal Canadiens. Montreal checks in with a franchise value of $408 million, something which the new owners, the Molson family, are happy to hear about. In fourth, the Detroit Red Wings come in worth $315 million. Years of success and a monstrous fan base ensure the worth of the Wings. The fifth most valuable team are the Boston Bruins checking in at $302 million.

Rounding out the top ten are the Philadelphia Flyers in sixth, Chicago Blackhawks seventh, Vancouver Canucks in eighth, Pittsburgh Penguins in ninth, and the Dallas Stars in tenth with a value of $227 million. Fascinating to see the Stars ranked so high especially with the team’s ownership currently in flux as they look for a new owner to take over operations. How much you want to bet Brad Richards is taking notice of the team’s worth as he looks towards getting a new contract.

As for the overall look at the league, Forbes says that the split between the haves and the have-nots is becoming a bit more distinct.

During the 2009-’10 season the 30 teams combined to generate $160 million of operating income (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) on revenue (net of proceeds required for arena debt) of $2.9 billion. But seven teams (the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, Montreal Canadiens, Red Wings, Philadelphia Flyers, Black Hawks and Vancouver Canucks) combined to earn $241 million, with none making less than $13 million. Meanwhile, 16 teams were in the red, with the six biggest money-losers (Phoenix Coyotes, Florida Panthers, Washington Capitals, Atlanta Thrashers, Buffalo Sabres and Tampa Bay Lightning) dropping an aggregate of $63 million.

It’s odd seeing the Capitals in the mix with the likes of the Panthers and Lightning, but all three of those teams have seen ownership shifting of one variety or another. Caps owner Ted Leonsis bought the NBA’s Washington Wizards. The Panthers and Lightning saw ownership shifts with Cliff Viner coming to power with the Panthers and Jeff Vinik buying the Lightning.

For now though Leafs fans, enjoy the day for being the league’s most valuable team. We’re sure that the fans know all too well given that the Leafs have some of the highest ticket prices in the league.